Swain Ski Patrol looking for members

Thursday

SWAIN — Those who take a nasty fall on the slopes at Swain Ski Resort or any other ski facility can count on the members of the Ski Patrol to get them safely down the hill for treatment.

"Skiing isn’t as dangerous as it used to be," stated Stephen Walker. "Today we have more and more people wearing helmets and the new bindings, and equipment is safer than in the past and there are less people on the slopes, but people can still take a fall and hurt themselves."

Walker is a member of the Swain Ski Patrol. He has been a member of the Ski Patrol at Swain for the last seven years. Which means he started volunteering at age 54. He didn’t learn to ski until he was in his 40s and says being part of the Ski Patrol has made him a better skier.

Since slipping on the red Ski Patrol parka, he has found that most injuries are minor, like skiers getting the wind knocked out of them. The worst thing he has had to deal with is a broken neck.

"I was the Hill Chief that day and I was very lucky because I had a lot of good help getting the skier down the hill. We had an emergency room nurse, sports injury physical therapist and Joe Menichino, who has been a member of the Swain Ski Patrol for 34 years," he recalled.

"Usually the worse thing we see is a broken or a sprained wrist," Walker said.

Walker is on patrol three days a week, and usually puts in 75 hours a year. There are about 90 members of the patrol who have volunteered to take the training for duty on the hill. Many are from Allegany County or live north of Route 20, he said.

Menichino lives in Alfred Station and has served the Ski Patrol since 1984. He has served as the Patrol Director for the Swain Ski Patrol and is involved in the regional and National Ski Patrol.

While training to become a volunteer on the Swain Ski Patrol has already begun, Menichino is urging those who may have an interest in helping injured skiers to join up.

According to Walker classes have already started for the "S and T" (Ski and Toboggan) portion of the training for new candidates, but interested skiers or snowboarders may still apply and join the classes that meet each Saturday and Sunday.

Menichino stated, "The Swain Ski Patrol is a welcoming organization, but not especially an easy one. It takes weeks of rigorous training to learn the skiing and toboggan handling skills to pass the S and T test. Many candidates take several seasons to reach the required level of proficiency."

The first aid portion of the training meets in a weekly course called "Outdoor Emergency Care" in the fall. Candidates must pass both courses to become an Alpine Ski Patroller. However, once certified Patrollers are able to work at ski resorts across the nation, some for pay, by just fulfilling local requirements.

National Ski Patrol was founded in New England in 1938. By the outbreak of World War II the leadership of the NSP was influential in forming the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. As specialists in winter and mountainous conditions, many members of the 10th were recruited from the NSP ranks. After the war, many became interested in promoting skiing.

"The interesting thing about the National Ski Patrol is that it was sanctioned by Congress, and so it hasn’t had to deal with state restrictions," Walker said.

The Swain Ski Patrol has a very diverse membership, Walker said, with high school age members to members in their 70s. Many candidates begin in high school but it is also common to join at more mature ages.

Taking up skiing at a later age, Walker said, "Ski Patrol has taught me to ski to a much higher standard and now I always have someone to ski with."

His son, Stephen, joined Swain Ski Patrol after breaking his arm on the ski slope.

While in training candidates are given free lift passes and patrollers receive season passes for themselves and free skiing benefits for friends and family. However patrollers do face costs for equipment, membership dues and books and fees for the first aid Outdoor Emergency Care course.

If interested in joining the Swain Ski Patrol go to SwainSkiPatrol.com or stop into the patrol room at the base of the slopes in Swain.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Community Info

Sister Publication

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Wellsville Daily Reporter ~ 159 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service